"You Only Have Permission to Shoot": The Story of Zarak and Sheetal's Murder

Her final words: "You only have permission to shoot." This is the story of Sheetal, killed for love in Balochistan, and her fight against a brutal system.
A Tribute to the Unbroken Spirit of Zarak and Sheetal
Sheetal's final words, "You only have permission to shoot," have become a symbol of defiance against the brutality of honor killings.

A young Baloch woman was brutally shot dead on the orders of a tribal jirga in Balochistan as punishment for her love marriage. Her final moments of defiance, where she reportedly told her killers, "You have the right to shoot me, but do not touch my body," were captured on video. The footage has since sparked widespread national outrage, bringing renewed attention to the crisis of honor-based violence.

In a powerful assertion of her marital rights, the victim confronted her killers by declaring, "I have performed Nikkah, I have not committed Zina." This statement, captured on video, drew a clear line between her legitimate Islamic marriage and the false pretense of 'immorality' used to justify her murder. Her words have since become a rallying cry against the misuse of religious concepts to enforce brutal tribal verdicts.

According to the Sources:

In a shocking and brutal act of honor killing in Balochistan, a young woman and her husband (In a startling press conference, Balochistan's Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has revealed shocking new details about the viral honor killing case in the Sanjidi-Degari area, stating that the murdered man and woman were not in a marital relationship) were reportedly murdered by a tribal jirga, approximately one year after they had entered into a love marriage. The couple, who were said to be living a happy life together, were allegedly lured under the deceptive pretext of a formal invitation. Instead of a celebration, they were taken to a desolate location where an extra-judicial verdict was passed, condemning them both to death for marrying of their own free will.

According to details that have emerged, the woman, anticipating the horrific outcome, displayed immense and unflinching courage in her final moments. Knowing she was about to be killed, she held the Holy Quran, seemingly as a testament to her innocence and the inhumanity of the act. When the men, reportedly numbering more than eighteen, moved to touch her, she issued a powerful and defiant statement in Bhravi Language , which has since been widely circulated: "You do not have permission to touch me, you only have permission to kill me."

Following her courageous last words, the assailants opened fire, killing her while she was still holding the Quran. The entire horrific act was reportedly filmed, and shocking footage of the murder has since gone viral on the internet, serving as undeniable evidence of the atrocity. The video has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, highlighting the persistent and brutal reality of honor-based violence and the power of parallel justice systems in many parts of the country.

"You Only Have Permission to Shoot": When Will Pakistan's Conscience Awaken Over the Murders of Zarak and Sheetal?

She walked towards her execution site. There was no tremble in her steps, no fear in her eyes. She adjusted her shawl, fixed her scarf, and with complete dignity, stood before the guns that awaited her. She did not beg for mercy, did not fall at anyone's feet, nor did she deny her love. As a ruthless mob was deciding the method of her murder, she simply covered her ears. Her name was Sheetal, and her final words were a slap across the face of the entire system of "honor": "You only have permission to shoot."

This incident occurred in a remote area of Balochistan, where love is considered a crime and personal choice is viewed as a form of rebellion. Sheetal and her partner, Zarak, were brutally murdered in the name of honor. They weren't just killed; they were punished for the right to live on their terms, punished for the crime of loving each other. This story is not just about the murder of two human beings, but about the societal apathy, tribal oppression, and state silence that claims hundreds of lives every year.

The Night Justice Was Buried

The soil of that land is still in mourning. The air there is still heavy, the mountains are ashamed, and the rivers are silent. Because that is where justice was murdered, Zarak, his hands already tied, stood as a picture of helplessness. Sheetal was presented before a mob—a mob that had no mercy, no shame, and no humanity in its eyes. It was a mob of men, of chieftains, and of verdicts that have crushed women's freedom for centuries.

Guns were pointed at Sheetal, but her chest was open, her gaze was high, and her voice was clear. She refused to bow before death. Her one sentence was a resounding slap on the faces of all those who call themselves "honorable," those with guns in their hands and hatred in their hearts. They lost to an unarmed, lone girl. Her voice shook their entire rotten system to its core.

This was not just a murder; it was the funeral of our collective honor. It was the defeat of a society that sacrifices a pure emotion like love at the altar of its false ego.

The Broader Context of Honor-Based Violence in Pakistan

The case of Zarak and Sheetal is representative of a wider, documented issue in Pakistan. According to data from human rights organizations, more than 385 incidents classified as honor killings were officially reported across the country in 2024. The data further indicates that women constitute over 90% of the victims in these reported cases. Observers note that many similar incidents in remote regions may go unreported.

These events are often linked to the operation of parallel justice systems, such as local councils or 'jirgas,' particularly in parts of Balochistan and Sindh. These traditional bodies sometimes issue verdicts in personal or property disputes that can conflict with the state's legal framework. The enforcement of such verdicts can lead to acts of violence, creating complex legal and social challenges.

The handling of such cases often involves multiple layers of governance and societal response, which are frequently subjects of public and media discussion.

Calls for Systemic Reform and Public Reaction

In the wake of incidents like the one involving Zarak and Sheetal, civil society groups and human rights activists have put forward several proposals for legal and social reform. These calls to action often include demands for stricter enforcement of existing laws and changes to address the root causes of such violence.

Common proposals from activist circles include:

  1. Treating such killings under anti-terrorism laws due to their impact on societal order.
  2. Calling for the formal abolishment of parallel justice systems that operate outside the state's constitutional authority.
  3. Proposing the observation of a national day to promote awareness about personal freedom and tolerance.
  4. Advocating for the inclusion of themes like human rights, tolerance, and empathy in the national educational curriculum.

The Symbolic Impact of the Incident

Following the circulation of the story, Sheetal's reported last words—"You only have permission to shoot"—have been widely shared on social media and have become a symbol of defiance for many. Activists and commentators have framed her final statement not just as words, but as an expression of resistance against coercion.

The story has resonated deeply with the public, sparking conversations about love, individual choice, and the clash between traditional norms and personal freedoms. The narrative of Zarak and Sheetal continues to be discussed as a case study in the ongoing struggle for human rights and social change in the region.

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